Continued from page 1
In his first season of Premiership action he made fourteen full appearances for Everton and came on as a substitute a total of nineteen times. During this season Rooney scored a total of six Premiership goals which included goal in November 2002 that gave Everton their first win at Leeds United for 51 years. A month later, Wayne Rooney was sent off in a game that Everton drew with Birmingham City. Ironically, this was on very same day that James Milner of Leeds United broke Rooney's youngest Premiership scorer record by tiny margin of just three days!
During 2003/2004 season Rooney was certainly catching eye of Sven Goran Erickson, England team manager, but statistical records of his season show possibly a lower tally in goalscoring department than many England fans would have expected. In fact, from twenty-six full appearances and eight as a substitute, Wayne Rooney scored only nine Premiership goals.
But as for past, who cares? As whole of Europe saw, Rooney was masterful during Euro 2004 and if it wasn't for his broken metatarsal who knows how far he and his England teammates could have progressed?
As for future, there is talk in press of massive bids in region of £50 million from either Chelsea or Manchester United. Rooney himself is said to prefer Manchester option which would keep him close to his North- West roots but it is possible that deep Chelsea pockets may force United out of bidding.
Wherever Wayne Rooney ends up playing his football for next few seasons, let's hope that for sake of English game his progress continues and that he reaches heady heights that have been forecast for him and really does become England's 'Boy Wonder'!
Chris Towland June 2004
Are YOU a Football Nut? If so, then visit www.Football-Nut.co.uk now and you could win great football prizes in our Free Monthly Football Quiz and Prize draw. There's up-to-the-minute news for your favourite team too! Click Here Now => http://www.football-nut.co.uk